Tunneling-machine.



W. F. WITTIGH. TUNNELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1s, 1903.

` W. F. WITI'IGH. TUNNELING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18, 1908. 956,463, y Patented Apr. 26, w10.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

:ils:

Patented Apr. 26, 1910.

3 HEREN-SHEET 3.

'UNITED srATns` ra WILLIAM EWI-Tirion, or ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, SHAFT sINKING AND TUNNELLING MACHINE ASSIG-NOR TO THE AVI'ITICH SUCCESS COMPANY, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA,

A. CORPORATION F ARIZQNA TERRlITORY.

TUNNELING-MAGHINE.

sgecieation of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 26, 191th Application filed Junc18, 1908. Serial No. 439,126.

which the following is a specification.

'the line 4 4 in Fig. 3.

This invention relates to tunneling machines, and consistsjin certain im rovel'nents in the construction-.thereof'as w11l be hereinafter fu1ly described and pointed out in the claims.y

i' More particularly the invention is adapted to that type of tunneling machines wherein the cutting-is accomplished by rotating a cutting head, the head being carried by a frame which is advanced as thecutting proceeds.

Among they objects of the invention is providing a 'continuous means for removing the muck as it is formed, and a convenient means for forcing the machine forward as the cutting proceeds.

The invention is illustrated in the panying drawings as follows: g

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 in Fig. l. Fig. 3 a plan view ofV the, machine. Fig. 4 a section of the muck mechanism on l marks the cutter head. rlhis is pro. vided with the rotative cutters 2.- The cutters are rotatively mounted in the head and revolve as the head is revolved b traction.` The head is carried by the sha t 3. The shaft extends through the vframe 4 whichforins 'a bearing for the shaft and is driven from .the motors 5 through the gears 5a and 5b, the gears 5u being mounted on the armature -shaft 5c and the gears 5b beingfixed on the shaft 3. The frame 4 hasl the longitudinally extending beams 6. The wheels 7 are journaled on the shafts 8, and these, shafts extend from the frame pieces 6 through the wheels into ears 9 which extend downwardly from the frame 4.' The cutter is forced to feed forwardly by the screw 10 which operates through the nut v11and against the end of the shaft 3. Thenut 11 is held inplace by the frame 12 extending from the frame 4, and the screw 10 1s provided with a wheel 13by which it may be operated,l

eachv side of the frame .receive the muck as it accumulates. [narily the shape of the troughfwill conform Vto that of the tunnel. The rear end ofthe trough is inclined so as to elevate the de-,

Extending 'from the longitudinal jfl-anic pieces 6 are the extensions 14. These extensionshaving the dovetailedgrooves 15 in which the dovetail slides 16a of the racks 16 operate. One `of these racks is arranged at there benganextension 14 at each side as clearly shown'i Fig.

3. Gears 17 mesh these racks. f flhesev gears are both fixed on the shaft 18 whicheiitends across the machine, so that the?racksl are forced to move together. i xed on theshaft l18. Gears, Q ()lymeshthe gears 19. The gears 2O are mountedaon; the shaft 21. The shaft 21 is providedwith a crank 22 by which it may be operated. The shaft 18 is journaled onthe frame'fbynieans of the bearmgs 23 on the extensions 14, and the shaft 21 is journaled in the bearings 24, also arranged ing thrust bars 25 are pivotallymounted on the racks 16. These are provided with the sharp oints .'26 which can be 4'forced into the Wa ls of the tunnel, so as to anchor the bar. In operation after the 'b ars 25 are forced into engagement with the walls of the tunnel, the frame may be forced for wardvl by turning the crank 22. This turning ofthe crank forces the racks 16 through theaction of the intermediategears along 'the groove 15, and as the shaft 18 is'iixed against longitudinal movement on the frame, the frame must move along the tunnel by this action.

on the extensionll4. Swing?.

A conveyer trough 27 extends along the y I bottom of the tunnel, and is carried below the frame. The front end 28' of this trou-gh is in close. proximity to the cut-ter head, and soshaped in cross section as to mest readily Ordilivery of the muck sufficiently to-drop it into .the boot 30 of an elevator 31. A beltoonveyer 32 is provided with Ythe Scrapers 33 which operate upon the trough 27 to force .the muck along the trough and into the elevator'boot. The belt is carried by the end wheels 35 and 36' and is deiected by the wheel -38 so' as to follow the trough in a horizontal direction under the frame and along the incline 29. The guides 34am ar.

ranged just above the belt between the Wheels 36 and 38V, and the wheels 38 and 35 for holding the Scrapers in Contact with the trough. l l

, The armature shafts c are mounted in the hearings 43 on the frame 4. A beveled gear 44 is arranged on one of these shafts, and meshes a gear 45. A ulley 46 is carried with the gear 45. A be t47 runs from this .pulley to the pulley 48. The pulley 48'is :mounted on the shaft 49. The shaft 49 carries the upper Wheel 50 of the elevator 31; A pulley 51 is arranged at the opposite end et the shaft 49, and a belt 52 extends from this pulley to a pulley 53. The pulley 53 is carried hy the shaft 54 on which the Wheel is mounted. 'It Will be readily seen that y Ti. fn a tunneling machine, the combina,

tien oit a frame; cutters rotatively mounted en the trame; means for rotating the head; a sliding rack mounted on the frame; a .sr/inging thrust har mounted on the rack; and means for moving the rack relatively to the trame for forcing the frame forward.

lu a tunneling machine, the combina- 1 tion of a frame; cutters rotatively mounted on the frame; means for rotating the head; racks slidingly mounted at each side of the frame; swinging thrust bars mounted on the racks; gears meshing the racks; and a common shaft for said gears whereby both racks are moved equally.

3. 'In a tunneling machine, the combination of a frame; an extension 14 thereon having a groove therein; a rack slidingly mounted in the groove; a gear meshing the rack; means for rotating the gear; and a thrust bar swingingly mounted on the rack.

4. In a tunnelin machine, the combination ofa frame raving extensions 14 in which are guide grooves, racks mounted in the grooves; gears meshing the racks; a shaft for compelling equal movement of the gears and racks; means for rotating the gears; and thrust bars swingingly mounted on the racks.

I5. In a tunneling machine, the combination of a frame; a cutter mounted on the frame; extensions 14 on the frame having guide grooves therein; racks slidingly mounted in the grooves; gears meshing the racks; pinions meshing the gears; a crank for operating the pinions; and thrust bars swingingly mounted on the racks.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WLLA M F. WITTICH. Witnesses K. R. KANE, H. C. LORD. 

